Animal Control looking for new director

XENIA — Greene County residents were concerned when they heard the director of the Greene County Animal Control resigned earlier this week.

Some expressed concern on social media and at the Greene County Board of Commissioners meeting Sept. 7, fearing that the shelter might be having financial difficulties.

According to the board members, they were shocked when director Michael Sagester, who accepted the position about a month ago, resigned. Sagester previously supervised the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center.

Residents were happy to hear that animal control currently has an unexpired and unspent balance of just less than half of its $724,000 budget.

County Administrator Brandon Huddleson said that the shelter, which expanded in 2014, is funded by dog tags, contracts with cities, fines and adoption fees. Construction of kennels, funded by a donation, is also currently underway.

Greene County Animal Control functions as the dog warden of the county, which means it licenses dogs, maintains shelter for strays and adoptable dogs and cats, enforces dog laws, handles abandonment, cruelty and bite quarantines and helps promote public health and safety.

According to animal control staff, donations and volunteers are always appreciated. Volunteers for walking adoptable animals must be over 18 or accompanied by an adult. Accepted donations are kitten food, litter, dog items and cleaning supplies.

A job posting for the director position can be found on the Greene County career page.